19th Annual Grand National NWTF Decorative
Duck & Goose Call Competition – Division III
2016 Rules, Announcements and Categories
Sponsored by Callmakers & Collectors Association of America
I.
Announcements
The Grand National NWTF Decorative Duck & Goose Call is a supportive category. This is a chance to support the
NWTF and gain national recognition by competing in exciting and challenging categories. All entries will be sold on
silent or live auction at a 50/50 split (unless entry fee waiver is elected for 100% donation) at the 2016 NWTF National
Convention. The 50/50 split entitles the call maker to 50% of the auction bid and the remaining 50% goes to support the
NWTF. Name recognition and competition placement (if applicable) will be displayed with each entry at the auction.
II. General Decorative Duck & Goose Call Competition rules:
1. All call makers are required to pre-register with NWTF National Office all entries they plan to enter in the
2016 competition. The pre-registration deadline for all entries should be received no later than Jan. 15, 2016
at NWTF Headquarters.
2. Call makers are responsible for selecting the category in which they wish to enter each call. The NWTF reserves
the right to place any call in a different category than the one designated by the entrant if the NWTF believes the
call is more correctly suited to a different category.
3. The call(s) may be presented in the contest on a presentation stand or box. These stands, boxes, bases will not be
judged for quality of craftsmanship and design and may be of commercial nature if desired, as their presence will
not influence the judging of the calls.
4. You may enter as many calls and as many categories as you wish.
5. Awards will be as follows:
Best of Show/Class – Grand National Champion Call Maker of the Year
 Grand National Championship Ring
 $500
 Trophy
 Medallion
2nd Best of Show/Class – $250, trophy, medallion with ribbon
3rd Best of Show/Class – $150, trophy, medallion with ribbon
1st Place (each category) – $150, medallion with ribbon
2nd Place (each category) – Medallion with ribbon
3rd Place (each category) – Medallion with ribbon
Honorable Mention (each category) – Medallion with ribbon
2016 Outstanding Youth Decorative Duck & Goose Call Maker of the Year – National Champion award
medallion with ribbon
o All youth call makers will be awarded Honorable Mention medallion with ribbon
2016 Rookie Decorative Duck & Goose Call Maker of the Year – National Champion award medallion with
ribbon
o All first-time call makers will be awarded Honorable Mention medallion with ribbon
Decorative Duck & Goose Call – Grand National Champion of Champions Award
 $250
 Trophy
 Medallion with ribbon
● National Champion of Champions Ring (winner may purchase)
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It is necessary to list the estimated fair market value for all entries. Please provide this information on the
registration form. The contest committee will establish BUY IT NOW prices for silent auction bid sheets.
Every call will be sold to the highest bidder OR the buy it now bidder. Call makers who are unable to
attend the convention or are concerned that their call(s) may sell for less than market value are encouraged
to use the Absentee Bid Form. If a call maker uses the Absentee Bid Form, the value of the absentee bid
will be the starting value placed on the call. In the event that the call does not get a bid higher than the
absentee bid, the call maker will be purchasing the call back at that price.
NEW: Hand Delivering of calls **** ONE DAY ONLY AND TIME EXTENDED: The call maker or their
designated person may deliver pre-registered calls in person to the Grand National Custom Call Registration Desk
outside the Exhibit Hall – Ryman B4 from 3-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10.
NEW REQUEST THIS YEAR: If you are mailing your calls to NWTF Headquarters (deadline to be
received no later than Jan. 15th), please place a note on the outside of each call to indicate what division
and category you intend for that call to be placed in. This will help speed the process up at convention
when staff are placing calls on tables in respective categories.
Call makers unable to attend the convention may mail their pre-registered entries to be received by NWTF
National Office no later than January 15th. All entries will be opened at the convention site.
 If you are mailing your calls to NWTF National Office, DO NOT place your registration form inside the
package. Place your registration form in an envelope and tape it to the outside of the package and mail to:
NWTF Grand National Decorative Duck & Goose Call Competition, 770 Augusta Road, Edgefield, SC
29824. Packages can be sent Priority, UPS or Fed Ex OR
 If you are not mailing your calls, please send your registration form to: NWTF Grand National Decorative
Duck & Goose Call Competition, PO Box 530, Edgefield, SC 29824.
All entries shipped to the NWTF will be opened at the convention site.
It is the call maker’s responsibility to place an acceptable insurance value on the entry for shipping purposes, as
the NWTF will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to entries that are beyond the control of the contest.
All entries will be required to remain at the Convention until Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016.
Buyers will be allowed to pay for and pick up calls bought beginning Sunday morning, Feb. 14 at 6 a.m.
Call makers wishing to place a description card with their calls for judging may include a 5 x 7 card describing
the entry. Please include your name and category entered on the back of the card. Only one card per entry.
 All call makers are encouraged to submit a brief description of the call they are entering. Information must
include the cal makers name and address along with a description of call including types of materials used
in the call and any information that will enhance the sale should the call be selected for the Grand National
Custom Call Auction. Information should be submitted on a 5” x 7” note card or 1/2 page maximum.
**** NEW LOCATION AND SET UP: The Grand National Custom Call Live Auction will be moved to
Delta A Lobby and set up by 5:30 p.m. on Friday. This will enable us to showcase the calls to over 1,500
Grand National Auction Attendees. Winners of the 19th Annual NWTF Grand National Custom Call Maker
Competition will be announced around 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 at the 13th Annual Premier Custom Call
Auction in the Delta A Lobby (NEW LOCATION).
Outstanding Youth Decorative Duck & Goose Call Maker of the Year Award. This award will recognize an
outstanding youth call maker 17 years of age or less at the time of the convention. The winner will receive a
Youth – National Champion Medallion with ribbon. In addition, all youth call makers will receive an Honorable
Mention medallion with ribbon for participating. Call maker must indicate on registration form he/she is entering
as a youth contestant.
Rookie Decorative Duck & Goose Call Maker of the Year Award. This award will recognize an outstanding call
maker who enters the Grand National Call Competition for the first time. The winner will receive a Rookie –
National Champion Medallion with ribbon. All other first time call makers will receive an Honorable Mention
medallion with ribbon for participating. Call makers must indicate on registration form this is the first time he/she
is entering a call in the Grand National Call Competition.
Judges will be asked to be available to meet with contestants and answer questions from noon-1 p.m. Friday,
Feb. 12, 2016.
Entry fees
 NWTF Member entry fee is $20 per call. Please note all entries are 50% supportive unless the call maker
specifies the entry is 100% donation. If entry or entries are 100% donated, entry fee is waived and NWTF
retains 100% of proceeds from the sale of the call.
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NON-NWTF Member entry fee is $30 per call. Please note if a non-member submits 2 or more entries,
NWTF will provide a FREE NWTF membership ($35 value includes 6 issues of Turkey Country
Magazine). Please note all entries are 50% supportive unless the call maker specifies the entry is 100%
donation. If entry or entries are 100% donated, entry fee is waived and NWTF retains 100% of proceeds
from the sale of the call.
19. Checks will be mailed from NWTF Headquarters after the convention.
Other important information
 A special live auction will be held on select calls. This prestigious event will start at 9 a.m. Saturday,
Feb. 13, 2016 in Delta A Lobby (new location ).
 Bidding on ALL silent auction calls will begin on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, and will close starting at
approximately 3 p.m. for Division III calls on Saturday, Feb. 13th. All calls will be sold to the highest
bidder or will be considered sold when the “Buy it now” price is utilized.
 Call makers may place absentee bids by filling out the bidding form and including it with their
registration form.
III. Rules, Categories and Judging Criteria
 Calls may be constructed of any material.
 Tips, guards and banding on any part of the call will be considered as standard construction item and their
presence on an entry will not affect the entry’s placement into a category.
 An entry may be constructed using one or more styles, materials and techniques.
 Signatures, brands and maker’s marks will not disqualify the entry or influence the judge thereof.
 Call scoring will be based on 5 items with a scale from 1 to 10 on each item and then totaled for a
maximum score of 50.
 Calls are to be the product of the person whose name is registered as maker.
 Calls entered into Category 9: Two-dimensional Decorative Call and/or Category 10: Open Calls may be
a combined effort between call maker(s) and artist. Calls must be registered by the maker of the call and
accompanied by the name of the person doing the artwork. (Only one prize will be awarded to the maker).
 The use of preband ivory and similar materials are acceptable except in Category 3.
Category 1: Matched Set: Category for two or more calls that are complimentary in design, material and adornments
and may include any combination of call types.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, complimentary in design, quality of workmanship and
finish, overall appearance, and overall judge’s opinion.
Category 2: Traditional Carved Call: Category for calls whose major influence is traditional relief hand carving
using traditional hand held tools such as knives, gouges, files and sandpaper. Calls may have oil or
stained finishes with main emphasis on the carving. Entries may include a duck call, goose call, swan
call or whistle type call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, technical quality of workmanship and finish, does
design and medium complement each other, is design intent conveyed well and proportional and overall
appearance of call.
Category 3: Decorative Antler Call: Category for calls whose intent is to feature art and skill of functional
call making utilizing natural animal material such as antler or bone calls that feature carved, checkered,
laminated, scrimshaw or painted adornments. Any antler, horn or bone material may be used in the
construction. Wood and ivory type tusk material are excluded in this category. Entries may include a
duck call, goose call, swan call or whistle type call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, quality of workmanship and finish, does design and
medium complement each other, overall appearance and overall judge’s opinion.
Category 4: Decorative Carved Call: Category for calls whose major influence is relief carving using hand-held
power tools that are electric or air driven. Calls may have oil or stained finishes with main emphasis on
the carving. Entries may include a duck call, goose call, swan call or whistle type call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, technical quality of workmanship and finish, does
design and medium complement each other, is design intent conveyed well and proportional, and
overall appearance of call.
Category 5: Hand Checkered Call: Category for calls whose intent is to feature the art and skill of hand checkering
as the major influence. Entries may include a duck call, goose call, swan call or whistle type call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, complexity and symmetry of checkered panels, quality
of workmanship and finish, overall checking ability, and overall judge’s opinion.
Category 6: Laminated Call: Category for calls constructed of two or more types of wood or materials.
The major influence being on the lamination of the call and the aesthetic appeal. Entries may include a
duck call, goose call, swan call or whistle type call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, symmetry and complexity of pattern, does design and
medium complement each other, quality of lamination and workmanship (finish), and overall judge’s
opinion.
Category 7: Carved Waterfowl Head Call: Category for calls that emulate the natural duck or goose form in an
artistic fashion, color and style. Category to be judged on finish colors as well as artistic interpretation.
Entries may include a duck call, goose call, swan call or whistle type call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, quality of workmanship and finish, artistry/artistic
appeal in the essence of the species, is design accurate and proportional, and overall judge’s opinion.
Category 8: Miniature Call: Category for calls that are no more than 3 inches in total overall length. Calls may be
of any style or design including all categories from division 3 and 4. Entries may include a duck or
goose call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, quality of workmanship and finish, artistry/artistic
appeal (carving, checkering, lamination, etc.), miniature detailing and propositions, and overall judge’s
opinion.
Category 9: Two-dimensional Decorative Call: Category for calls whose major decorative influence is scrimshaw,
etching, wood burning, line carving or painted scene. Calls may be of any material and may be
combined effort between call maker and a two-dimensional artist. Call must be registered by the maker
of the call and accompanied by person’s name doing the artwork. Entries may include a duck call,
goose call, swan call, or whistle type call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, quality of workmanship and finish, artistry/artistic
appeal, complexity of design and technical quality of artistry, and overall judge’s opinion.
Category 10: Open Call: Category for calls that are carved, painted, inlaid, banded, scrimshawed, machine checkered,
machine cut, indexed geometric design, wood burned, rose lathe work and any call entered whose major
influence will not place it into any of the above divisions as well as call entries that the rule committee
determines should be placed into this division. Entries may include a duck call, goose call, swan call,
or whistle type call.
Judging Criteria: Quality of sound reproduction, quality of workmanship and finish, artistry/artistic
appeal, is design intent conveyed and proportional, and overall judge’s opinion.
Category 11: Decorative Waterfowl Display: This is a stand-alone category in Division III. Display must include
one or more duck, goose, swan or waterfowl whistle calls. Category open to any waterfowl theme
design. Category will be judged on overall display design and call(s). This category is not available for
Best of Show. It may be a collaborated effort between call maker and artist. Call must be registered by
the maker of the call and accompanied by person’s name doing the artwork.
Judging Criteria: Display will be judged on overall appeal, aesthetic decorative quality and quality of
craftsmanship.
Category 12: Grand National Champion of Champions: This is a stand-alone category (limited to past Decorative
Duck & Goose Call 1st Place Best of Show Winners) in Division III – Decorative Duck & Goose Calls.
Category 11 is not eligible for the current year Division III – Decorative Duck & Goose Call Best of
Show Award. Call makers will be eligible for the 13th Annual Premier Custom Call Auction on a
70/30 (callmaker/NWTF) split basis. Calls in this category may be entered with bases or displays and
will be included in the judging. Judging criteria and points will be awarded.